The 10 Best Nightclubs in Chicago

Studio Paris

Though the Paris Club restaurant on the ground floor has closed, the second-floor club Studio Paris continues to thrive as one of the city’s coolest venues. It has played host to the world’s biggest names, including Avicii, Tiesto, and DeadMau5, and it features a state-of-the-art sound system. The club also has a retractable glass roof, so on warm summer evenings, you can dance in the open air under the stars.

Studio Paris, 59 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 377 9944

Studio Paris | © Jennifer Catherine / Courtesy of Studio Paris

The Mid

The Mid gets its name from various places. It’s roughly in the middle of the city; it’s in the middle of being a live music venue and a nightclub, and it’s also in the middle in terms of size, with an 800-person capacity. But it’s certainly not the middle of the road, with three full-service bars, plush booths, and skyline views. It sees long queues on the weekends, with its two floors filling up fast.

The Mid, 306 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 265 3990

The Mid | Courtesy of The Mid

Berlin

Lake View’s Berlin, inspired by the art and cultures of the owner’s favorite city, opened in 1983. Famously attracting a diverse, alternative crowd, the club has won awards as the city’s best gay bar, but it is welcoming to all. The music ranges from new wave to house, as well as hosting theme nights including Stardust and MadonnaRama. The dancefloor is small, so be prepared for it to be crowded.

Berlin, 954 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 348 4975

Primary

Another intimate, underground destination, Primary is a boutique nightclub with a capacity of just 250 people. But if you get in, it has one of Chicago’s best sound systems and hosts the city’s hottest DJ talent spinning house and techno alongside Latin and hip-hop nights. Its mixology bars and 12-foot (3.7-meter) LED wall ensure an environment as stimulating as the music, and the friendly staff contributes to a positive vibe.

Primary, 5 W Division St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 888 2471

#Saturday nights at @primarychi are #unreal. Be a part of our #5yearanniversary all month long. #Chicago #primarychi #chicagoevents #topclubs #nightlife #nightclub #housemusic #housemusicallnightlong #chicagohouse #chicagosbest #dj #residentadvisor #primaryfam. Photo by @jennifercatherinephotography

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The Green Mill

For something a little more old school and relaxed, the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge has been a part of Chicago’s nightlife for over 100 years. Crowds of all ages still flock to this legendary Uptown club for nightly jazz performances and some of the best cocktails in the city, and they also visit to experience a glamorous age when gangsters rubbed shoulders with movie stars at the long Art Deco bar.

The Green Mill, 4802 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 878 5552

Sound-bar

In the heart of River North, Sound-bar is the opposite of Chicago’s intimate clubs, with two levels, nine full-service bars, and a 4,000-square-foot (372-square-meter) dance floor. Huge crowds pack in for an upscale, Euro-inspired nightclub experience, with big-name touring DJs and floor-to-ceiling video projection walls for a full-on audio-visual show. If you have a lot of friends, you can rent one of the levels.

Sound-bar, 226 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 787 4480

#TBT January 23rd, 2015 was the last time @djhernancattaneo came to #SBChi. He's finally back later this month! Tix: http://bit.ly/SBHernanCattaneo

A post shared by Sound-Bar Nightclub (@sound_bar) on Mar 9, 2017 at 10:34am PST

Spybar

Another basement club in River North, Spybar has been around for 18 years and can match any nightclub for the big-name house, techno and electro DJs it attracts on a weekly basis. Describing itself as a “perfect cross section between high-octane clubbing and intimate lounge atmosphere,” its claims were backed up by Rolling Stone magazine, who included it in the top 10 dance clubs in the U.S. in 2013.

Spybar, 646 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 337 2191

Underground

Thanks to its owner, bar guru Billy Dec, it’s not uncommon for the Underground Chicago to attract a celebrity crowd, with Kanye West among its famous attendees in the past. Recently remodeled, revamped and expanded, its underground bunker theme only extends to the décor, as the DJs, system, and drinks are all high end. Scantily clad dancers, pulsating light displays, and busy screens ensure a wild and chaotic atmosphere.

Underground, 56 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 644 7600

Never miss a chance to dance! #music #DJ #dance

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The Apartment

Over in Lincoln Park, The Apartment purposefully sets itself apart from a lot of Chicago’s club scene with a laid-back loft party feel. The quirky lounge has couches, a bed, a fake fireplace, and even a kitchen area with a fridge and other appliances, but there are still dancers on platforms and waitresses doing the rounds with shots. It’s only open a few nights a week, and there’s no cover charge; therefore, it can get pretty busy, especially with the college crowd.

The Apartment, 2251 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 348 5100